Better Health Care Access Needed, Heroux Says

Attleboro State Rep.-elect Paul Heroux released the following statement in response to the mass killing at a Connecticut elementary school:

If it is true that the 12/14/12 Connecticut shooter was suffering from serious mental illness, and I believe it is, the awful shooting in Connecticut reminds us of why we need to make it easier to access and encourage mental health care more than it is easier to access a gun.

Put another way, our culture encourages gun ownership but stigmatizes mental health treatment. No one asks to suffer from metal illness anymore than anyone asks to suffer from asthma or diabetes. If these are treated a person can live a fairly normal life. If neither are treated, tragedy can happen. 

My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the victims.